FAQs

Freemasonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory, illustrated by symbols. Freemasons value history, charity, and brotherhood, and work together to improve their community and themselves.

Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation for men who want to improve themselves, support their community, and build lasting friendships with people who share their values. When you join, you become part of a tradition stretching back to the stonemasons’ guilds of the Middle Ages, using ceremonies, symbols, and allegory to explore timeless values like integrity, charity, and brotherhood. Most members will tell you, though, that what keeps them coming back is simpler than that: the friendships, and the sense of belonging to something worthwhile.

Freemasons believe in supporting each other, strengthening their community, contributing to charity, and improving themselves. They must also believe in a supreme being.

The main values of Freemasonry are Brotherly Love, Relief (meaning charitable aid) and Truth.

Freemasonry is both a supporter of charity and a social organisation.

The first Grand Lodge was formed in London in 1717, but Freemasonry has its roots in stonemasonry in the Middle Ages.

Freemasonry is neither political nor religious, and discussion of both of those topics is forbidden at meetings.

Freemasonry’s values of integrity, friendship, respect and charity mean that it draws together like-minded people with common values and goals – making it easier to form enduring friendships.

Men join Freemasonry today for camaraderie, to contribute to their community, to assist charities, and to become better men.

The time before a meeting starts is actually one of the most rewarding parts of a Lodge evening – when you arrive the 20 or 30 members of the Lodge will look you in the eye, shake you by the hand, and tell you ‘it’s good to see you’ – and mean it. During the meeting itself we take part in an ancient ceremony, that we call Degree Work, which uses allegory and symbolism to explore values like integrity, friendship, and how to live well. After the ceremony, everyone sits down together for dinner and conversation. The atmosphere is warm and collegial, not solemn or intimidating.

Yes, there are women Freemasons, but they have their own Lodges.

The District Grand Lodge of the South Island, New Zealand, helps organise the individual lodges around the South Island and the main charity activities.

Yes, the District Grand Lodge South Island is part of the United Grand Lodge of England.

The United Grand Lodge of England is the result of the joining of several lodges in London in 1717, with the aim of standardising the Ritual and supporting members. The United Grand Lodge in London is considered to be the premier Freemason’s lodge in the world.

English Freemasonry has been active in the South Island since 1859.

You can read about the history of the District Grand Lodge South Island on the About Page on this website.

There are thirteen lodges that are part of the District Grand Lodge South Island: Southern Star Lodge warranted 1858, Dunedin Lodge warranted 1862, Canterbury Lodge warranted 1864, Lodge of St John warranted 1865, Pacific Lodge of Hokitika warranted 1886, Greymouth Lodge warranted 1868, Lazar Lodge warranted 1877, Phoenix Lodge warranted, Winchester Lodge warranted 1877, Ashburton Lodge warranted 1877, The Conyers Lodge warranted 1879, Amberley Lodge warranted 1882, St Albans Lodge warranted 1895.

A Royal Arch Chapter is considered to be the culmination of Masonic learning. Members have to be Master Masons who have done their Third Degree, which is a Ritual based on the Return of the Israelites from their Exile in Babylon.

The current Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge South Island is the Right Honourable John Soper.

We have a strong link to the United Grand Lodge of England – the founding body of English Freemasonry. South Island lodges operate autonomously within the Grand Lodge structure.

To take the first steps towards becoming a Freemason, you can ask someone you know who is already a Freemason, check the How to Join page, or use the contact form on this website to get in touch.

Any free man over 18 years of age who believes in a supreme being can become a Freemason.

You do not have to know a Freemason already to become one yourself.

No, you just need to ask.

The first step to becoming a Freemason is to meet a few Masons for an informal chat over a coffee or a drink. They’ll tell you what’s involved, and you can tell them a bit about yourself.

The first thing that happens is informal: we’ll arrange for you to meet a few members over a coffee or a drink, somewhere comfortable, with no pressure at all. You can ask whatever you want to know, and the members you meet will give you honest answers. If you feel like it’s something you’d like to pursue, we’ll also have a friendly conversation with your partner. That’s not about seeking permission; it’s because Freemasonry involves a regular evening commitment, and experience tells us that things go much better when a partner understands what’s involved and feels good about it. After that, you’ll be invited along to your first lodge meeting.

Yes, you’ll be introduced to several Masons whom you can speak to over a coffee or a drink.

It can take as little as three months, or a bit longer if you begin the process before the Christmas break.

The qualities Freemasons look for in new members are honesty, integrity, and good values. We don’t care about your wealth or employment.

You must be aged 18 years or older to join Freemasonry in New Zealand.

You don’t need to follow any religion to join Freemasonry, other than having a belief in a Supreme Being. Indeed, discussion of religion is forbidden at Freemason meetings.

Yes, men from any background are welcome to join Freemasonry.

English Constitution Masonic lodges are located in the South Island in Dunedin, Winchester, Timaru, Ashburton, Christchurch, Greymouth, Hokitika, Westport, Amberley, and Nelson.

Yes, there are several English Freemason lodges in Christchurch.

Yes, there are Freemason lodges in Ashburton, Timaru, Nelson, Greymouth, Westport, Blenheim and Amberley.

You’ll get a good idea from your initial meeting with members. They will suggest the best fit for you. You’re also welcome to shop around to see which lodge feels best to you.

Over the years, circumstances change, and lodges might need to move for a number of reasons.

Lodges usually meet formally ten times per year, but it can be as few as four times and as many as eleven.

Visitors are welcome to visit prior to the start of a meeting. You can inquire about membership and meet members. However, you will not be able to join us for the Ritual or Ancient Rites.

The District Grand Lodge South Island usually supports family and community-based strategies. Recently, we’ve supported One Mother To Another, St John, Hohepa, and Brothers in Need. We also assist members who are in need.

Freemasons support their local communities in a variety of ways – financially through charitable donations, working bees, and contributing volunteers. Many new members are active in charitable organisations.

Charitable giving is one of the pillars of Freemasonry; members are not obliged to give a minimum amount, they just contribute the time and money they can afford.

Yes, any Freemason can suggest a cause or charity to support. Usually, the lodge members will agree together on which charities to support each year.

Yes, Freemasonry supports both local and national charities.

The benefits are self-improvement, brotherhood, friendship, camaraderie, helping people in times of need, and contributing to the community.

Through Freemasonry, you can build enduring friendships and connections with like-minded people who share similar values.

The time commitment involved in being a Freemason is anything from an evening a month to all your free time. It’s entirely up to you.

Yes, and we’d rather be upfront about it. Each lodge sets its own fees, but you’d typically expect a one-off joining fee of around $200 and an annual subscription of a similar amount. Freemasonry is not an expensive commitment, and no member is ever expected to give beyond their means.

There are a few, but not many.  Most lodges will provide you with your initial regalia (which is the apron and other ceremonial items that members wear during meetings), and dinner is usually covered by your annual subscriptions.  If you need replacement regalia you generally need to buy it for yourself, and social functions outside of lodge meetings are usually at your own cost.  Beyond that, there are no hidden costs or ongoing levies. We do invite members to contribute to charitable appeals, but there’s never any pressure.  Members give what they can when they can.  All in all, given what you get out of it, Freemasonry is possibly the best value for money you’ll ever spend.

As a joining member, you’ll be welcomed to the lodge and prepared for the Ritual. You’ll wait outside until your First Degree is about to begin. The Ritual takes around 90 minutes, and you’ll be taught the first of our mysteries and secrets. After the ceremony, you will share dinner and raise a glass with your new brethren.

A dark suit and tie are the recommended dress for a Freemason lodge meeting.

You will be encouraged to attend monthly meetings and, if possible, the monthly practice meetings as well.

You can join as many lodges as you want. Many Freemasons join a new lodge when they move and still remain a member of their Mother Lodge.

Yes, you’re welcome to visit any Freemason’s lodge anywhere in the world, and you will be welcomed as a brother.

Freemasonry is not a secret organisation. Our lodges, our membership, our charitable work, and our values are all publicly known, and you’re welcome to ask us anything. Like many organisations, we do have internal traditions and ceremonial elements that we share only with members, but there’s nothing hidden about who we are or what we stand for. We like to say “It’s not a secret organisation, its an organisation with Secrets.” If you have a question, just ask, and you’ll get a straight answer.

No, and it’s an important distinction. Freemasonry is not a religion and has no affiliation with any religion. In fact, discussion of religion is prohibited at lodge meetings. Our meetings do begin and end with a short, non-denominational prayer, as a reflection of each member’s personal faith, whatever that may be. Men of many different faiths are members of our lodges.

No, Freemasonry is not just for older men. Anyone 18 years or older can become a Freemason.

Younger men are welcome to join Freemasonry. Anyone 18 years or older can become a Freemason.

Discussion of politics is forbidden at Freemasons’ meetings, but there are members who are politicians.

Freemasonry uses ceremonies, allegories, and traditions that help teach its members timeless truths.

Many of our members would say it’s more relevant now than ever. When so much of modern life feels fragmented and rushed, there’s something genuinely valuable about belonging to a stable group of men who share your values, who will notice if you’re not there and reach out and check if you’re OK, and who are committed to looking out for each other and their community. Ask most Freemasons what they get out of it, and after a moment’s thought, they’ll tell you: the friendships. Ones that last a lifetime.

Service clubs like Rotary and Lions do important work, and plenty of Freemasons are members of those organisations too. What Freemasonry adds is a focus on you personally: on your own character, values, and growth, not just on what you can contribute to others. The ceremonies and traditions of Freemasonry are specifically designed to prompt that kind of reflection. You’ll still raise funds, volunteer, and contribute to your community, but you’ll also be part of something that asks you to be a better man, and gives you the tools, the mentors, and the brotherhood to help you get there.

No. Over the years, Freemasonry has attracted that kind of suspicion, and in some places and times there have been individuals who tried to misuse their membership for personal advantage. That’s not what Freemasonry is, and those people are asked to leave the fraternity.  The values at the heart of Freemasonry, integrity, honesty, and treating every person fairly, are directly opposed to that kind of behaviour. We’re not perfect, but we take those values seriously.  That being said, we do look after each other just like a friend should do.  We share the excess from our gardens.  We deliver food to members who are unwell or have a family emergency.  And of course we let brothers know if we hear about a job they might be interested in applying for – but we’d never give them a job just because they are a Mason.

Honestly, some of it is of our own making. For most of Freemasonry’s history, members were encouraged not to talk openly about their membership or their activities, which created a vacuum that conspiracy theories were happy to fill. That approach has changed significantly in recent years.  We are proud to tell our friends, our families, and the people we meet that we are Freemasons.  The best way to judge us is to come and meet some members and see for yourself. We think you’ll find the reality is a lot more straightforward, and world domination is not really on the agenda.

No, and this is worth being very clear about. Favouring a fellow Mason over others in business, employment, or public life is explicitly contrary to Masonic principles. Every member commits to acting with integrity and treating people fairly, regardless of whether they’re a Freemason or not. If you joined hoping for a business network that would give you an inside edge, you’d be joining for the wrong reasons, and you’d find that’s not how it works. What you will find is a group of men with good values who, over time, become people you trust and enjoy spending time with. Some of them may become business contacts or colleagues, but that’s true of any group of people you respect.

Lodge meetings are for members only, but partners, whether female or male, are very much part of the Lodge family.
Before you join, we’ll have a friendly conversation with your partner, not to seek their approval, but because a regular evening commitment works best when the people closest to you understand what it involves and feel comfortable with it. Beyond that, social events that include partners and families are an integral part of every Lodge.  Not every partner wants to be involved, and there is no obligation for them to have any involvement at all, but you’ll often find that partners develop their own friendships through those occasions. Freemasonry doesn’t ask you to choose between your lodge and your family; the two tend to complement each other quite naturally.

Yes, and for many members these are some of the highlights of the Masonic year. Most lodges organise dinners, Christmas functions, and other social gatherings that include partners and sometimes families. The friendships you build in Freemasonry have a way of extending beyond the lodge room, and it’s not uncommon for partners to become good friends in their own right through these events. The social side of Freemasonry is genuinely enjoyable, and it’s one of the things that tends to surprise new members most pleasantly.

At dinner after a lodge meeting, most lodges offer members a drink.  Sometimes there’s even a cheeky whisky beforehand.  But there’s absolutely no expectation that you’ll drink. Non-alcoholic options are always available, and nobody will think twice about it if you don’t drink. Freemasonry draws members from all sorts of backgrounds and beliefs, and making everyone feel comfortable and included is part of what we’re about. If you’re wondering whether you’ll feel out of place as a non-drinker, the honest answer is: not at all.

There are younger members, and we’d genuinely love more of them. It’s true that the average age in many lodges skews older. But that’s also part of what makes younger members so valued: you bring energy, fresh perspectives, and a long future ahead of you in the organisation. Most younger members are pleasantly surprised by how quickly they’re welcomed and how much the older members enjoy having them around. The friendships that form across generations are often one of the most unexpected and rewarding aspects of lodge life. If you’re in your twenties or thirties and wondering whether Freemasonry is just for older men, come and meet us and judge for yourself.

Freemasonry is designed to fit around your life, not the other way around. Most lodges meet formally around ten times a year, usually on a weekday evening, so the core commitment is roughly one evening a month. There are practice meetings and social events on top of that, but attendance at those is entirely up to you. If you have a young family, shift work, or a demanding job, you won’t be the first member to navigate those constraints, and the lodge will work with you. Nobody is going to chase you up if you miss a meeting occasionally. What matters is that you’re engaged and present when you can be, and that you enjoy your time with us.

Absolutely.  Freemasonry isn’t for everyone, and life has a way of changing around us: careers, families, and circumstances shift, and what fits perfectly at one stage of life may not fit at another. There’s no lock-in, no pressure to stay, and nobody will chase you up if you decide to move on.

All we ask is that you let us know in writing and settle any outstanding subscription before you go. That’s it.

And if somewhere down the track you find yourself thinking about Freemasonry again, perhaps your kids are older, or life has settled down, or you simply miss the company of good men – you’ll find the door is open. You’re always welcome back.

Use the contact form on this website.

Absolutely, and we encourage it. The best thing you can do is get in touch and let us arrange for you to meet a few members informally. You can ask them anything you like, and you’ll get honest, straight answers from people who have been where you are now. There’s a lot written about Freemasonry online, most of it rubbish. Meet us for a coffee or a beer, and your conversation with real members will give you a far better picture than anything you’ll find on the internet. Please get in touch here.

You could tell us a little about yourself.

You can find out about the lodges affiliated with the District Grand Lodge South Island here.